Salma Hayek 'proud' of defying casting call for 'Caucasian' actress

Salma Hayek's leading role in new movie Beatriz at Dinner landed in her lap.

Salma Hayek is "proud" of proving her acting chops when she ignored a casting call only looking for white actresses.

The Mexican actress has recalled trying out for a part in a project in which it was clear bosses wouldn’t pick a Latina actress.

Revealing she waited five hours before auditioning in front of around six people sat at a long table, Salma, 50, was even asked why she was wasting their time and “humiliating” herself by being there.

“They were kind of laughing and smirking at the beginning,” she said, according to National Public Radio. “When I finished I was so proud because they looked at me completely different. (One of the men said) said: ‘That was smart, I had no idea you were that good. I still want what I want - and it's Caucasian. But I have to give it to you, you surprised me.’"

While the Frida actress didn’t give away any details on what the film was she did disclose that the same man came back to her years later to apologise, confessing she would have been better in the role than the person they’d cast.

The star’s latest role is in comedy Beatriz at Dinner, in which she plays the titular massage therapist who attends a fancy dinner party hosted by her wealthy clients when her car breaks down at their home.

“It really landed in my lap... top,” Salma smiled of the movie, remembering how director Miguel Arteta and writer Mike White approached her even before the script was finished.

“I said: ‘Oh, that's great, what is it about?’ And Mike said, ‘It's a dinner.’ I thought: ‘For sure, I'm going to be cooking it. I'm just going to be a small role.’"

Beatriz at Dinner also stars the likes of Connie Britton and John Lithgow premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year (17).